Explanation

Learning the differences between por and para

is often quite challenging, and with good reason. In Spanish,

both por and para take on the responsibilities of not only for, but
also by, on, through, because of, in exchange for, in order to, and several
other prepositions and phrases. Por suerte
(luckily), we've got a whole series on this tricky pair, so get ready to master
the differences between por and para!

Por
Por is used to talk about movement, modes and means of travel and communication,
exchanges, duration, and motivation, among other things. Let's take a closer look at
some examples of these common uses of por.

1. Travel and Communication

Por can be used to talk about the way you travel or communicate. This can refer to
mode of travel (car, train, etc.) or communication (email, phone, etc.) or even the route
you take.

EXAMPLES

La contacté por correo.
I contacted her by mail.

Viajé por Francia y España.
I traveled through France and Spain.

¿Quieres pasar por el parque?

Do you want to go through the park?

2. Exchanges
Por is used to talk about exchanges and trades.

EXAMPLES

Te cambio mi manzana por tu sandwich.

I'll trade you my apple for your sandwich.

Te doy sesenta pesos por la mochila.

I'll give you sixty pesos for that backpack.

3. Duration

Por is used to talk about the length of time an activity went on for.

EXAMPLES

Tengo que trabajar por ocho horas hoy.

I need to work for eight hours today.

¿Dormiste por 12 horas? ¡Qué vida la tuya!

You slept for 12 hours? Lucky dog!

4. Motivation

Por is used to talk about motivations or reasons for doing something.

EXAMPLES

Por su amor a los niños, quiere ser pediatra.

Because of her love for children, she wants to be a pediatrician.

Trabajo por ti, porque te quiero cuidar.

I work for you, because I want to take care of you.

Quiz yourself with our vocab list on "por" expressions!

Para
Para is used to talk about destinations, recipients, deadlines, and goals. Check out the
following examples of these common uses of para.

1. Destinations

Para is used to talk about physical destinations, especially the endpoint of a trip.

EXAMPLES

Salgo para Chile mañana.
I leave for Chile tomorrow.

¿Para dónde vas con tanta prisa?

Where are you going in such a hurry?

2. Recipients

Para is used to indicate the intended recipient of something, such as a gift.

EXAMPLES

Este regalo es para Adela.

This gift is for Adela.

No, Bruno. Estos chocolates no son para los perros.

No, Bruno. These chocolates aren't for dogs.

3. Deadlines

Para is used to talk about deadlines, including dates and times.

EXAMPLES

Necesito la presentación para el viernes.

I need the presentation by Friday.

Tengo que terminar esto para las ocho.

 I need to finish this by eight o'clock.

4. Goals

Para is used to talk about goals and purposes. It's especially common to see para used
with an infinitive to talk about why something is done.

EXAMPLES

Trabaja mucho para ganar más dinero.

He works a lot in order to earn more money.

Corro para mantenerme en forma.
I run to stay in shape.

There are also many expressions that are used with por and para. Some very common
examples are shown in the table below.

POR PHRASE ENGLISH TRANSLATION PARA PHRASE ENGLISH TRANSLATION

por ejemplo for example para siempre forever

por favor please para variar just for a change

por supuesto of course para que so that/in order that

por ciento percent para qué for what reason

por qué why para dónde where to

por fin finally para ti for you